We Plotted Coup To Remove You, Gov Aliyu Tells Bamanga Tukur

Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, Thursday had a sober reflection and confession in Abuja on his role in the entire crisis that rocked the leadership of the party, accepting being one of the leaders of the political coup which led to the resignation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) former National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

Governor Babangida Aliyu told a gathering of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NGE) in Abuja in the presence of Dr. Bamanga Tukur that he played a major role in the political gang-up that led to the resignation of the National Chairman of the PDP.

The governor, in his words, said: “I know I played a major role in your removal but all I want to urge you to do is to please continue the good job you are doing for the PDP and the country.”

He regretted the possibility of him and his colleagues not being able as at now to bring back Dr. Bamanga Tukur as the national chairman of the PDP to continue his job.

According to Dr. Aliyu, even though they succeeded in plotting the removal of Dr. Bamanga Tukur from office, “we have not come out of the woods”.

He therefore urged Dr. Tukur not to relent with the good services he was rendering to the PDP for survival and continuity.

In his reaction at the scene of the event, Dr. Bamanga Tukur jokingly told Dr. Aliyu that “the confession tonight has clearly shown me those who plotted my removal from office”.

He said that the statement from the governor was a clear vindication of his innocence in the entire episode, noting that it had confirmed the fact that all that happened was all a game of political intrigue and conspiracy.

Tukur said that as a true sportsman, he had forgotten the events and forgiven all those who played one role or the other in the incident.

He reiterated his preparedness to continue to support the party and ensure its victory in every election especially the re-election of the incumbent president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The former PDP chairman assured that the entire incident was a political experience that had encouraged and equipped him more on how to serve the party and country better.

He remarked that politics is a game of give and take where according to late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, “there is no permanent enemy and no permanent friend”.